Special Purpose Awards 2011/12

CCTA is delighted to announce that the Level 8 and Level 7 Certificates in Psychology and Technology will run again in 2011-2012 and there will be a new Level 9 Certificate in Internet Research Methods (subject to approval) as well as a Level 8 Supplemental Awards on Mobile Software Development for iphones and Androids. These Special Purpose Awards will run on Wednesday evenings from 7-9pm from 28th September 2011. For further information on all these courses and for application forms please see http://www.iadt.ie/en/InformationAbout/SchoolsCourses/SpecialPurposeAwardCourses/.

Level 8 DL111S Certificate in Cyberpsychology
Cyberpsychology is the study of the human mind and behaviour in the context of human-technology interaction. It encompasses all psychological phenomena that are associated with or impacted by emerging technologies, including the internet, mobile computing, mobile phones, PDAs, games consoles, virtual reality, digital media and any other technology which has demonstrated an ability to alter human behaviours. It considers the impact of evolving trends, such as technological convergence, on individuals. Cyberpsychology also examines human interactions with less ubiquitous technologies, such as cyborgs and artificial intelligence.

Level 8 DL115S - Certificate in Sport Psychology
Sport psychology is the study of the human mind and human behaviour in the world of sport. It encompasses all psychological phenomena that are associated with or impacted upon by participating in sport, at both novice and elite levels.

Sport psychology involves the examination of topics such as motivation, concentration, self-talk, team dynamics and cohesion, leadership, aggression, the benefits of exercise, and the psychology of sports injuries in an attempt to determine how such factors and issues impact on sports performances. Specifically, sport psychology considers the impact of psychological principles on performance in sport (i.e., the use of mental strategies, such as goal setting, self-talk and anxiety management, and mental imagery). Sport psychology also examines the psychological benefits of participating in exercise and sport, the benefits of sports participation for the moral and social development of children and young athletes, and the psychological impact of injury on athletes.

Level 8 DL112S - Certificate in Human Computer Interaction
Do you want to explore how today’s emerging technologies might shape our
lives in 2020, given that computers have shaped so many aspects of the modern world? Computing has the potential to enhance the lives of billions of people around the world. It is imperative that, if technology is to truly bring benefit to humanity, then human values and the impact of technology must be considered at the earliest possible opportunity in the technology design process.

Human Computer Interaction studies advances in interfaces — the physical way we interact with computers — such as surfaces that allow fingertip control of on-screen objects, devices that can sense and react to movement, and other techniques of controlling computers which will supplement the role of the traditional keyboard and mouse. This is an introduction to the field.

Level 8 DL113S - Certificate in Data Visualisation
Information is being collected at unprecedented rates the content of which impacts all of us in our daily lives - from supermarket chains electronically recording the purchases of customers shopping baskets to banks and other financial institutions assessing credit risk prior to issuing loan approvals to scientists trying to make sense of massive climatic data sets to assess the impact of global warming. In fact it is probably safe to conclude in the words of the visual artist Lev Manovich that ‘regardless of profession, financial analysts, policymakers, architects, accountants, and pretty much everybody else engaged in are doing the same thing: processing information’.

Processing information involves analysis and communication. Information is analysed to assess the presence of interesting patterns and structures in data while the results of this analysis needs to be communicated effectively. This accredited course in data visualisation seeks to improve the efficiency of information processing by offering a visual, practical and hands-on approach to the analysis and communication of data that facilitates the transformation of data into knowledge.

Level 7 DL114S- Certificate in Organisational Psychology
Organisational psychology is the study of the human behaviour in the workplace. It is sometimes referred to as industrial or occupational psychology. It is the study of the importance of relationships between the individual, the organisation and society. It encompasses all psychological phenomena that are associated with or impacted upon by participating in the workforce, either as a manager or part of a work-based-team.

Organisational psychology involves the examination of topics such as recruitment and placement, training and instruction, organisational design and structure, organisational culture, performance appraisals, job satisfaction and motivation, stress and work, leadership, career management and the role of technology in the workplace. Specifically, organisational psychology considers the impact of psychological principles on the working environment.

Level 9 Dl116S Certificate in Internet Research Methods
Internet research methods focuses on the use of the internet as a research tool. The advent of web 2.0 technologies enables researchers to do things not possible using traditional methods. It sets out to provide the information about method, techniques, procedures and tools which are required for internet based research.

This course evaluates studies and research which focus on human interactions with emerging technologies, including the internet, mobile computing, mobile phones, games consoles, virtual reality, digital media and any other technology, which has demonstrated an ability to alter human behaviours. It also introduces the tools that are currently being used in on-line research and data analysis.

The course aims to provide you with the skills required in order to carry out empirical research with technology and in virtual environments. It is drawn from the MSc in Cyberpsychology (DL155) in IADT.

Level 8 Dl117S (iOS) and DL118S (Android) Certficate in Mobile Sotware Development
Mobile computing devices, such as mobile phones, smartphones and tablet computers, have become increasingly popular in the last 3-4 years. This has led to an increase in the demand for applications (or ‘apps’) for these devices. These devices typically use an operating system (such as Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android) that is tailored to the mobile nature of these devices. This in turn requires software developers to be aware of the requirements of these platforms when developing mobile applications.

The two programmes aim to provide students with the skills required to develop software for the iOS and Android operating systems respectively. These are supplemental awards.